Depression Getaway with Wendy Love

  One of the first blogs I read about depression, about 20 years ago was called 'Roller Coaster' . It was written by someone who had bipolar disorder, like me. I remember it clearly. It was the middle of the night, and I was in yet another depressive episode, wondering if there was any hope for me so I went 'online' and looked up 'depression blogs'. I wasn't even sure there was such a thing but there it was! What a comfort to see that I was not the only one with bipolar disorder. It was so affirming to hear someone describe the same symptoms I was experiencing. I felt validated, like I was not imagining the whole thing.  Way back then, there were about 1% of the blogs that there are now. Good blogs about depression were hard to find. And people often made comments. Others responded to those comments. It was helpful and I felt less alone.

"If you believe books can help us survive adversity, heal, live more fully, and change in ways we never thought we could - or if you simply can't live without books - this blog is for you" says Valerie Grace Hallinan of  'Books Can Save a Life'. Valerie's blog appealed to the reader in me but when I realized she had written some insightful posts about mental health, I had to include her in my interviews with 'Victorious Sufferers'.

This woman is accepting a present. She looks pretty happy. Now accepting precedes opening. Acceptance is the first step. I remember when I was in my twenties I had chronic back pain, it was severe, discouraging, inconvenient. I tried everything, X-rays which showed 'there was nothing wrong', cortisone shots, chiropractic, changing some of the ways that I lifted things and how I sat. Very little made any difference. I ran into an old friend who asked how my back was. I said 'It's the same. I've given up going to doctors though.' "Good"  she said "you've accepted it." "Yes, I guess I have" I replied. But just because I accepted it didn't mean I quit searching for solutions and making changes that I hoped would help. Just because I accepted it didn't mean I was giving up. What would the opposite of acceptance be? Maybe denial? Or resistance? or rebellion? Those emotions require a lot of energy and are counter...

How is it possible for someone who writes books titled  ' Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top: Sweet, Funny Reminders of God’s Heart for You'    or  'The Heart of Humor '  to be battling depression? With Jeanette Levellie it is totally possible. Check out her dynamic blog 'Hope Splashes'  and see for yourself. She is one of many 'victorious sufferers'.

"A Storied Mind: Recover Life from Depression" is a timeless blog by John Folk-Williams. The keyword in this title is 'RECOVER'. 'Recovery' is what John Folk-Williams is all about. Every title points to recovery from depression, every idea shared assumes recovery is possible. If you haven't accessed his website yet, you really must. Do any of these titles tweak your interest? "If Your Partner's Depression Returns" "The Healing Garden" "How Couples Stay Together"

Another deep dark depression. Another sleepless night. As hopeless as it all seems (again!) I get out of bed and turn on my computer thinking 'maybe there is more I can learn to help me cope with this awful depression' . As painful, difficult and discouraging as those times have been, the resulting discovery process has never left me empty. I always learn a little something new. Or I may find a blogger who writes about depression in a way that makes me feel less crazy and less alone and gives me hope to go on....

I did it! I took 'the Ultimate Blogging Challenge' https://ultimateblogchallenge.com/ and I blogged for 31 days in a row! Why did I do it? It just seemed like a fun idea at the time. I live a quiet life. I don't do a lot. I don't get out a lot. I am always having to 'be careful', 'don't overdo it', 'pace myself'... you get the picture. But every so once in a while, something comes along and I say 'I could do that!' and I give it a try.

Now I would like to introduce you to a blogger called  'Chipur' or at least that is what he calls his blog about depression. Not a very depressing name is it? The creator of the blog I would like to tell you about about is truly 'chipper' so the name  ' Chipur'  is appropriate. The author, Bill White , combines the professional with the personal on this proactive site. To quote Bill " If you’re looking for freedom from your mood or anxiety disorder you’ve come to the right place." I like 'Chipur' because it is informative and positive and useful and I need all the help I can get.  Thanks Bill for providing something I can sink my mind into and get some fuel for the journey! One of my favourite and most useful posts of his is  13 Things to IMMEDIATELY Consider When You’re SPIRALING DOWNWARD (and scared). Go and visit Bill at 'Chipur'. WHAT ABOUT YOU? Are you feeling very 'chipper' today? Does that word al...

See? Even cats find blogging intriguing! Or is it the mouse that has his attention? Either way, blogging can quickly become a hobby you wondered how you had ever lived without. I am not just blogging for your depression,  I am blogging for my depression. That's right, blogging helps my depression. The process of writing helps depression. There are not many counselor/therapists you go to who won't encourage you to journal.

After enjoying my first blog so much I thought about creating a blog concentrating on depression and all that I had learned that had been a great help to me. And so  'Dipsy Doodling around Depression'  was born which again, like my first blog I deleted in a bipolar manic moment . But the fun continued, new friendships were made and the research went on, and on and on. I was not only researching depression I researched blogging as well. I think there may even be more stuff about blogging on the internet than about depression!

Blogging is one of my depression coping strategies. It didn't start that way. When I was forced to give up my little arts business due to depression, I knew I needed a creative outlet. Writing seemed the natural choice. I always loved writing. So I decided to start with something small - a novel! (Must have been manic that day....) Since I love to do research on anything I am pursuing, I began to read all about 'writing' and oh my goodness, there was so much advice out there. I almost got so caught up in the advice that I didn't start my novel for quite awhile. One of the bits of advice I read was 'create a blog', to have a presence out there. Seemed like a good idea to me.